May 26: ORD

Today is May 26th. It's the 147th day of the year. 219 days remain.

Unless noted, the following data is based upon observations collected by the National Weather Service, Chicago, at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) between 1979 and 2007. Observations have been official at O'Hare since Jan. 17, 1980.

Before this, Midway International Airport (MDW) was the official station of record from Wed. July 1, 1942 to Thu. Jan. 17, 1980. Before July 1, 1942, records were official at various locations in the city going all the way back to Mon. Oct. 16, 1871. Records before this (back to Sat. Oct. 15, 1870) were lost during the Great Chicago Fire which began on the evening of Sun. Oct. 8, 1871.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the normal high is 73 and the normal low is 51. The 29-year averages are 70 and 48.

On the warm side, in 1985 the high was 89 with a low of 62. In 1991 the high was 82 with a low of 69. In 1987 the high was 86 with a low of 61. Two years ago the high was 83 with a low of 60. The record high of 94 was set in 1911 and the record warmest low of 75 was set in 1914. 21 of the past 29 highs have been in the 60s (9) and 70s (12).

On the cool side, the high in 1992 was 53 with a low of 35. The high in 1983 was 60 with the record low of 34. In 2001 the high was 57 with a low of 38. In 1994 the high was 59 with a low of 37. Other cool highs include 60 in 1996 and 55 in 1997. Other 30s lows include 37 in 2002 and 39 in 1979. The record coolest high of 48 was set in 1961. 12 of the 29 lows so far have been in the 40s.

The following astronomical data is provided by the United States Naval Observatory. In Crystal Lake, twilight begins at 4:49 and sunrise is at 5:23. Sunset is at 20:19 and twilight ends at 20:52. There's a total of 14 hours, 56 minutes of sunlight and 16 hours, 3 minutes between twilights. The moon is waning gibbous with 69% visible at midnight and 64% visible at noon. Moonrise is at 0:48 and moonset is at 11:00. Moonrise is at 1:12 tomorrow. Moonlight time is 10 hours, 12 minutes today. The moon is waning gibbous and will reach the last quarter on Tuesday at 21:57.

Happy Memorial Day to everyone and especially to those who gave their lives, who are currently serving our country and those who have served. We enjoy our freedoms because of these brave souls. I can't thank you enough! My Dad turns 68 in 16 days. Happy Birthday Dad!

- Bernie -